The suruey of popery vvherein the reader may cleerely behold, not onely the originall and daily incrementes of papistrie, with an euident confutation of the same; but also a succinct and profitable enarration of the state of Gods Church from Adam vntill Christs ascension, contained in the first and second part thereof: and throughout the third part poperie is turned vp-side downe.

The 4. proposition.

Marriage was deemed lawful for all sortes of people; aswel for ecclesiasticall persons as others: & that for many hundreth [ 1] yeares togither, after Christes glorious ascension into heauen. This proposition I prooue many waies; First, because Peter, [ 2] Iames, Paul, Philip, and the rest of the apostles, were all married, as is already prooued. Secondly, because sundrie of the holy fathers,* 1.1 had wiues and children. S. Gregory Nazian∣zene was a bishops sonne, and admitted to the pastorall charge by his father in his life time. S. Cheremon the bishop of Nico∣polis in Egypt, was a married man and a stout confessor. For both he and his wife being wel stricken in year••s,* 1.2 fled from per∣secution to a mountaine in Arabia; from whence they neither returned, neither were after that seene of any man. S. Philo∣gonius so highly commended by S. Chrysostome, was a mar∣ried bishop, and had a daughter.

S. Spiridion, who wrought wonderfull myracles in his life time,* 1.3 was the bishop of Cyprus, and a married man; he had a daughter Irene by name: who being full of pietie and sancti∣monie of life, died a virgine. This married bishop liued about 350. yeares after Christ.* 1.4 Eupsychius the bishop of Caesaria was a married man, and soone after his marriage martyred for Christ Iesus. For (as Nicephorus and Cassiodorus report in their ecclesiasticall histories) he was put to death, being as yet

in manner a new married man. Thirdly, because the Popes owne canon lawe telleth vs, that many Popes were the [ 3] sons of priests, to wit Bonifacius, Agapitus, Theodorus, Sylue∣rius, Foelix, Hosius, Gelasius, Deusdedit; and many others. But perhaps our papists will say, that all these were bastards,* 1.5 and answer with their glosse, that vitium tollitur per successionem, the fault is taken away by succession. Oh,* 1.6 what will not po∣perie doe? But yet wee may put them in mind of another ca∣non, which telleth them,* 1.7 that al these Popes aforenamed were legitimate children, because in those dayes Popes and Bi∣shops might marrie lawfully. Which assertion, proueth exact∣ly my proposition.

Fourthly, because many councels haue decreed this veritie; and the Apostles themselues in their canons, haue set down [ 4] this decree.

Episcopus, aut presbyter, aut diaconus,* 1.8 vxorem suam praetextu religionis non abiicito: si abiicit, segregator à communione; si perseuerat, deponator:

Let neither Bishop, nor Priest, nor Deacon, put away his wife vnder pretence of religion: if hee so doe, let him be excom∣municate; if he cont••••ue, let him be deposed.

Out of these words I note first, that in the dayes of the [ 1] Apostles, it was lawfull for Bishoppes, Priests, and Dea∣cons to haue wiues. I note secondly, that if either Bishop, [ 2] priest, or Deacon, shoulde put away his wife vnder pretence of (holynesse or) religion; for that his offence, hee ought to bee [ 3] excommunicated. I note thirdly, that if the Bishoppe, priest, or Deacon, would not receiue his wife againe, whome he had put away vnder pretence of holinesse, (which the Pope this day so straitly commaundeth,) then such Priest, Bishoppe, and Deacon, ought to bee depriued of his liuing. I note fourthly, that these Canons how soeuer they be indeede, are [ 4] highly magnified of the papists, and therefore must they of ne∣cessitie, be a forceable testimonie against them.

In the councell of Ancyra it was decreed, that the deacons, who in the time of their orders saide they woulde marrie, shoulde continue still in the ministerie,* 1.9 euen after the celebra∣tion of their marriage. Where note, that this councell was

holden about three hundred and eight yeeres after Christs in∣carnation.* 1.10

The councel of Gangra accursed him, that thought a marri∣ed priest might not minister the holy communion.* 1.11

The third councell of Constantinople (the sixt generall sy∣node so called) decreed, that Priests, Deacons, and subdea∣cons,* 1.12 should continue with their lawfull wiues, and bege••te children, at al such time & times, as they were not in actual ex∣ecution of the ministerie:* 1.13 albeit they knew the church of Rome to haue another custome. This famous generall councel was holden about the yere of our Lord 681. where were pre∣sent two hundred eightie and nine bishops: al which though so many in number,* 1.14 and liuing so manie yeeres after Christ, con∣fessed neuerthelesse, that the marriage of Priests was a law∣full thing.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Greg. Nazianz. Orat. de funer. Pat. orat. 28.27.
• * 1.2

  Eusebius hist. lib. 6. ca. 31. Chrysost. in ora∣tione de Philog.
• * 1.3

  Socrates hist. lib. 1. cap. 8. Hist trip. lib. 1. cap. 10.
• * 1.4

  Hist. trip. lib. 6. cap. 14. Niceph. lib. 10. cap. 10.
• * 1.5

  Dist. 56 cap. O••••∣us.
• * 1.6

  Glossa ibidem.
• * 1.7

  Dist. 56. cap Ce∣nom••ncus.
• * 1.8

  Can. 6. Apostol.
• * 1.9

  Con. Ancyr. can. 10.
• * 1.10

  Anno. Dom. 308
• * 1.11

  Conc. Gangr. cap. 4. Sozome••. ib. 3. cap. 13.
• * 1.12

  Conc. Constan∣••in 3. can. 13.
• * 1.13

  The councel confesseth that they hold against the Church of Rome.
• * 1.14

  Anno. Dom. 681